THE CONSTRUCTED MARK

A Workshop With Ron Pokrasso (August 11-15, 2008)

    

"I felt empowered!" That was the remark I heard most often when I stopped in the print shop and wood shop at Cape Cod Community College at the end of the last day of Ron Pokrasso's workshop when the artists spoke about their work and their experiences over the course of the five days.

Other remarks I heard reflected the same enthusiasm:
   “This workshop really went beyond my expectations.”
   "He does push you to new horizons.”
   “I've touched upon a lot of things that will free me.”
   “I really enjoyed the construction part!”
   “I learned how to build…. I wanted to combine my found objects with my prints.”
   “This was a jump start for me.”
   “I've digested and learned something every time I've taken a workshop with Ron.”

And comments from Ron to the artists:
   “The energy on Wednesday was just amazing! I'm going to rename this workshop ‘Women with Hammers'!"
   “I have a sign in my studio ‘Battleground vs. Playground'. It's gotta be both."
   “This piece works because it's so fresh."
   “The possibilities are endless. There are no perfect answers, just commit yourself.”

The work I saw was amazing. The workshop participants focused on ways to transform their monotypes and works on paper to panels that can then be handled as paintings, collage, and assemblages. Various forms of printmaking set the stage for images in the first two days. Then, using woodworking tools, wood panels, and hollow core doors, participants learned how to construct their own substrates for furthering their compositions. Collage played a major role and the various uses of acrylic sealers and glues was demonstrated. This workshop most certainly encouraged participants to experiment, using what works, and taking it to the next level to create intriguing, interesting and complex compositions! -- Susan Denniston